LA PUENTE – A 50-year-old man was found dead in his apartment in the 15200 block of Francisquito Avenue on Tuesday morning, authorities said. Detectives believe the death was accidental.

Sheriff’s homicide Sgt. Tim Miley said the man’s parents, who live nearby, had not heard from him and went to check on him.

“His parents found him deceased in his apartment,” Miley said. “It appears as though he had an accident.”

Authorities identified the deceased as Ken Zapata of La Puente.

Man says shooting was self-defense

SALINAS – A tearful father facing second-degree murder charges testified he shot and killed his daughter’s boyfriend in self-defense.

Willie Suber, 62, said Monday that the fatal altercation occurred when he went to his daughter Selena’s Seaside apartment in May to defuse an argument between her and Danny Flores, 26, the father of her 18-month-old son.

Suber, a longtime Stevenson School track coach, is charged with second-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon for wounding his daughter, who was accidentally struck by a ricocheting bullet.

Suber said his daughter and Flores fought frequently.

He testified that when he showed up to quell the argument May 5, Flores “said he was going to `bash my head in.”‘

Suber said he had decided to leave his daughter’s apartment when Flores grabbed a bat and followed him outside.

Suber said he planned to get in his truck and leave, but then saw Flores continuing to advance with the bat. Suber testified he grabbed a gun he kept in the truck.

“He had the bat and he had a look on his face, and I knew he was going to do it,” he said. “He was going to smash my head with the bat.”

Suber said he then shot Flores between the eyes. Another bullet apparently ricocheted off the bat and struck Selena Suber in the chest.

If convicted in the nonjury trial, Suber faces 15 years to life in prison.